Falcons Name Side For Sunday's Quarter Final

Newcastle Falcons welcome back England Saxons scrum half Micky Young to their side for Sunday's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues at Kingston Park on Sunday.

Young returns to the side as the Falcons look to reach the European semi-finals, having recovered from the back injury which kept him out of last weekend's trip to Harlequins.

Alex Tait returns from ankle trouble to slot in at fullback with Charlie Amesbury moving to take Gcobani Bobo's place on the wing, as the South African switches to outside centre with Rob Vickerman ruled out by a groin injury.

In the pack Filipo Levi starts in the second row as the injured Tim Swinson misses out, whilst the back row sees the return of Brent Wilson at blindside with the Falcons looking to build on their last home result - a 25-13 league win over Gloucester.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash, director of rugby Steve Bates said: "It's a great occasion for us to be involved in, hosting a top class side like Cardiff Blues in a big European quarter-final.

"The players are all excited by the challenge, and hopefully it will capture the imagination of the North-East sporting public because this is a massive chance for us to continue down the path towards silverware and a place in next season's Heineken Cup."

Having already played the Blues once this season in LV= Cup action, Bates said: "I don't think either side will have really gleaned too much from that game to be totally honest, because both clubs took the opportunity to mix their squads up on that occasion.

"But we are still well aware of what quality Cardiff have from studying the tapes of their recent games, and when you look down their squad list there is certainly no shortage of international quality with a host of Wales, Lions and All Black caps in there.

"That in itself is a great motivation for our players, because they will want to test themselves against guys of that calibre and prove that they deserve to be in that sort of company on a more regular basis. We will probably start as underdogs in many people's eyes, but we're coming out to attack and to hopefully put on a show for the crowd on what is a major high-profile game for the region."

Tickets for Sunday's game (kick-off 3pm) are still available by calling 0871 226 60 60, or from Kingston Park in person and on the day.

Cardiff Blues face Newport Gwent Dragons in a huge European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final on Saturday, April 4 - and you can celebrate pre and post-match with Cardiff Blues and the Cardiff Blues Supporters' Club at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park!

Welsh Pro Rugby's main sponsor BT Sport will help make it a Welsh derby day to remember for thousands of rugby supporters at the big European quarter-final with the creation of a buzzing Family Village at Rodney Parade.

Cardiff Blues are hosting a special Open Evening this Wednesday night at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park to give prospective students and parents the chance to discover more about our new and exciting rugby education programme.

Our Cardiff Blues Rugby Camps return this Easter to give children right across our region the opportunity to participate in rugby during the holidays - and after selling out our last two camps you can book NOW to avoid any disappointment!

Supporters are being invited to get on their bike and gear up for an epic charity bike ride from Cardiff to Paris this June - with the last few places now available to raise vital funds for #StayStrongForOws

The players at Cardiff Blues will be hoping to play with some true Gallic flair for the rest of the Guinness PRO12 season - after the region teamed up with a successful French bistrot in the Welsh capital.

Cardiff Blues will be celebrating St David's Day when the region faces Edinburgh Rugby at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 12.45pm) - with hundreds of children invited as part of our Regional Schools Day.

Fine footwear retailer The Brogue Trader - one of the official sponsors of Cardiff Blues - is celebrating after being recognised by the British Footwear Association at its annual Footwear Industry Awards.

Battling Cardiff Blues produced a second half performance packed full of character and spirit to push Ulster Rugby all the way in an absorbing Guinness PRO12 encounter at a packed out Kingspan Stadium.

Argentine ace Joaquin Tuculet scored a sensational try in the eighth minute of injury time as Cardiff Blues produced an astonishing finale to snatch victory over Connacht Rugby after an unbelievable Guinness PRO12 encounter.